A beautiful blog written by Sutapa Das. He writes very thoughtful, meaningful, inspirational & friendly articles. See the link: https://iskconnews.org/inside-job,5648/
The ungrateful, inappropriate and irrational ways in which people act can infuriate us to no end. We deal with our anger by letting it loose (passionate and vengeful outbursts) or locking it up (emotionally disconnecting). Both expressions, however, are indicative of our own shortcomings. Allowing someone else’s negativity to displace our own consciousness, means there is still work to do. We seek emotional deposits from others because we haven’t become full in ourselves. But isn’t that natural? Aren’t relationships based on mutual emotional dependency? Surely it’s reasonable and legitimate to expect some human decency in our social intercourse.
Well, in one sense yes, but if you understand the nature of this world, the power of material psychology and the inherent weakness of each individual, then you won’t be surprised when people aren’t so forthcoming. Only when we are internally nourished and solidly connected to the original spiritual source, can we wholeheartedly give ourselves and remain unaffected by the reciprocation (or lack of) that we receive.
Impractical, unattainable and utopian? Well, that is the saintly challenge before us. Spiritualists are extraordinary, not simply because of their knowledge, faith or dedication, but because of their unique and outstanding character. Their conduct is entirely different from the ‘common’ person. They incessantly give the best of themselves, again and again, because something deeper is impelling them to continue. It reminds me of Mother Teresa’s famous poem:
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may cheat you;
Be honest and sincere anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
History has documented a long list of saints, but what about now? The world could do with a few more spotless personalities, and we all have our part to play. If not me, then who? If not now, then when? Nobody feels qualified, it won’t be easy, and there will never be an ideal time. Along with dynamic projects to change the world, I’m increasingly thinking about the ‘Inside Job.’ Our life contribution is not simply based on what we do, but also who we are. To be more humble than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, perpetually offering respect to others, and expecting nothing in return. As I fall short of these exalted ideals, I pick myself up, dust myself down, and continue to confront my inflated pride and ugly ego. The ‘Inside Job’ is testing but exciting. It’s a work in progress, and I’ll have to start putting some overtime in.
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It is easy to say, but difficult to follow. I am in the same boat with everyone else, or I may even be behind, but thinking in the right direction will help us to go in the right direction.
With respect to everyone’s values & beliefs, whichever GUIDELINES ( Bible, Quran, Torah, Tripitaka-Buddhism, Agama-Jainism, Guru Granth Sahib-Sikhism, Gita or any other...) METHODS or WAYS work for us are all good.
THANK YOU.
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MY SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION , SOURCE & THE GURUS:
I am inspired to hear & read the Vedic Scriptures by regularly listening to Sri Pandurang Shashtri Athvale, also known as Dadaji (speaks on Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Veda based discourses & western philosophy) and the association of Swadhyay Parivar every Sunday in Swadhya Kendra.
I also hear and read the discourses & literature on Vedic thoughts from Srila Prabhupada, his disciples & grand disciples ( HH Bhakti Rasamitra Swami, HH Chaitanya Charandas Prabhu, Shubha Vilas Prabhu, Vraja Vihari Dasa, Sutapa Das, Amarnath Dasa, HH Bhakticharu Swami, HH Urmila Devi Dasi, HH Sivarama Swami, HH Radhanath Swami, HH Romapada Swami, Lal Govind Prabhu (Gujarati & Hindi), Prahalad Maharaj in Surat (Gujarati) .......and many more from ISKCON......).
FYI: A good source of Vedic literature: Vedabase.io Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the essence & Srimad Bhagavatam (SB) is the nectar of all Vedic scriptures. Repeatedly hearing/reading & meditating the Scriptures, Eating Sanctified Pure Food and Chanting or Hearing the Vedic Mantras are nourishing to our heart (Soul), transcendental to our consciousness, purifying to our senses and thus helps us to overcome our weaknesses or deficiencies. Yes, we do have good qualities within us but there is always a room for improvement.
It is always a good idea to share our good thoughts & knowledge with others. Thanks to the Facebook & Social media for providing me the platform. Of course I use Smartphone & Google search to collect some data.
Besides my parents, wife, teachers, family & friends GREATFUL to EVERYONE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED in MY LIFE. Hopefully my enthusiasm will continue by Grace of the Guru & God (Krishna , Absolute Truth).
NOTE:
Many times a word Hearing is used instead of Listening when it comes to the Scriptures. Because Scriptures are so potent that simply by Hearing them even if you don’t try to interpret or analyze or understand them still there will be passive positive effects on our mind & senses.
We can follow either the Quran, Bible,Torah, Tripitaka-Buddhism, Agama-Jainism, Guru Granth Sahib-Sikhism, Gita or any other Philosophy which have faith in, makes sense to us, purifies us, elevates our consciousness and qualifies us to understand God and instill the love of God & his creation. (whichever way we can understand God -- either Personal with many names or Impersonal as an universal consciousness & energy or Both: Personal & Impersonal ).
Don’t try to understand God by Name, Religion or Depiction (means image, picture...etc) but try to understand him by the Definition through Scriptures. The Transcendental subject of God & his creation cannot be understood by mental speculation. Some times people ask why God is Supreme? It is just like asking why is the circle circular? Just by definition, the circle is circular. Similarly by definition, God is unborn, complete, unlimited, infinite, eternal, the Absolute Truth the source of everything, cause of all causes.
I see God, besides the above mentioned qualities, as an eternal living person (not a abstract or some kind of light) known by the name KRISHNA meaning one who attracts everyone has also MANY other NAMES, forms, abodes, incarnations, activities, qualities, associates, is full of wisdom, bliss, and the cause of all causes.
Here Lord says in Gita
Bg 9.17 -- I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable oṁ. I am also the Ṛg, the Sāma and the Yajur Vedas.
TEXT 18: Gita 9.18: I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed.
Bg:13-12:-- Accepting the importance of self-realization; and philosophical search for the Absolute Truth ( God ) – all these I declare to be knowledge, and besides this whatever there may be is ignorance. ( Vedabase.io ).
